Buying a pre-loved wedding dress is a great way to save money but there can be some things to consider before you make your purchase. So where to start? Do you have an idea of what type and style of dress you are looking for? Or have you perhaps found the perfect one in the shops but hope to find it for sale at a preloved price? Either way, here are a couple of tips to keep in mind.

Take your time to look at the listings, making sure you read all information carefully. If you are interested in a garment, contact the seller and be clear with any questions you may have. Things like:

  • How the item has been kept?
  • When it was purchased?
  • Is the price negotiable?
  • Can authenticity be proven; through provision of a receipt or the garment label?
  • What are the payment methods?

Based on your satisfaction with their response you can arrange an appointment to view the garment.

Take someone with you to assist with trying the dress on.

Take care when trying on the garment to avoid any damage to the fabric or detailing. It’s best to remove your jewellery, and consider taking a scarf to cover your face to avoid transfer of makeup onto the garment. Treat the garment with respect!

Arrange for payment.

Finally, if you decide to proceed with purchasing the garment, make arrangements for payment and also shipping if required. PayPal is a great way of completing your purchase as it offers some buyer protection.

Images via Worn Only Once


Ms Gingham says: Buying your wedding dress in this way may not be for everyone but it’s certainly something to consider as you could end up saving hundreds even thousands of dollars. Thanks to Sky-Lee for the tips!

About Sky-Lee: “Being a mother of two boys, it is lovely being involved within the bridal industry through my business Worn Only Once. Bringing something ‘pretty and girly’ into my life is nice for a change.”